Let Them Eat Books!

Written by Alaka Malwade Basu

Recently I took a day off to be among the first to enter the branch of the Washington DC Public Library that has opened right across my street. I had been eagerly awaiting the moment and when I finally entered the place, I was not disappointed.

Nor was I surprised. The US public library system is pretty predictable in its offerings. In whichever branch of the library in whatever part of the country, you can always expect a homecoming of sorts, peace amidst the din outside. If the rest of the world must imitate the US, I mused, instead of copying its bullying foreign policy or its increasing rightwards tilt in matters economic, we would do well to pick up one of its truly socialist and inclusive traditions – the open and easy access to cake for the mind.